The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are two of the most capable true wireless earbuds you can buy in 2026. Both pack adaptive noise cancelling, strong codec support, and premium build quality, but they aim at slightly different buyers. This head-to-head uses only published reviews, recorded specifications, and the HearWiki database to sort out where each pair excels and where it falls short.
Price and positioning
The Technics EAH-AZ100 asks $250, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro costs $210. That $40 gap is not trivial, but both sit firmly in the premium tier of the true wireless market. Technics positions the AZ100 as a high-end all-rounder with a focus on battery life and multipoint flexibility, while Samsung pitches the Buds 4 Pro as a feature-rich option for Galaxy phone owners, with a rugged IP57 rating and a hybrid dual-driver setup.
Neither pair is cheap, and both demand a real commitment from your wallet. If you are on a tighter budget, you might look at the best budget earbuds under $50, but if you want flagship performance, these are the kind of products you are weighing up.
The scores, side by side
In the HearWiki database, the Technics EAH-AZ100 scores 86/100 overall, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro scores 84/100. That is a two-point gap, which is close enough that you should not treat it as a decisive factor on its own. The headline score is a buyability measure derived from review consensus, price, and availability, not a weighted average of the sub-scores.
Looking at the sub-scores, the differences are small. For sound, Technics leads 9.2/10 against Samsung's 9.1/10, which is effectively a tie. For noise cancelling, Technics scores 8.6/10 versus Samsung's 8.3/10, again a narrow margin. Battery is where the gap widens: Technics gets 8.7/10, Samsung only 7.3/10. Call quality flips the other way, with Samsung at 8.6/10 and Technics at 7.8/10. Value is close, with Technics at 8.1/10 and Samsung at 7.9/10.
Do not read too much into the headline gap. Two points is within the noise of any scoring system, and the sub-scores tell a more useful story about where each pair actually wins.
Sound
Both earbuds are excellent performers in the sound department. The Technics EAH-AZ100 uses a single 10 mm dynamic driver, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro uses a 2-driver hybrid setup. On paper, the hybrid suggests more separation, but the recorded sub-scores put them almost level, with Technics at 9.2/10 and Samsung at 9.1/10.
The Technics supports LDAC, which is a big deal if you want high-resolution wireless audio on Android. The Samsung also lists LDAC in its codec support, alongside Samsung Scalable, which is a proprietary codec that works best with Galaxy phones. If you are on a Samsung device, the Buds 4 Pro will likely sound superb out of the box. If you are on any other Android phone, the Technics gives you more flexibility with LDAC plus AAC.
Neither pair supports aptX, so iPhone users will be limited to AAC on both. In practical terms, you are getting flagship-level sound from either pair, and the differences will be subtle rather than night and day. For a deeper look at top performers, check the best true wireless page.
Noise cancelling and battery
Both pairs have adaptive ANC, and both do it well. The Technics scores 8.6/10 for noise cancelling, the Samsung 8.3/10. That is a small edge for Technics, but you would need to listen side by side in a noisy environment to notice it. Neither is a class leader like the best over-ear headphones, but for earbuds, they are both strong.
Battery life is the clearest differentiator. The Technics EAH-AZ100 delivers up to 12 hours on a single charge, dropping to 10 hours with ANC on, and extends to 28 hours with the charging case. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro manages only 7 hours per charge, with no recorded figure for ANC-on or case total in the database. That is a significant gap for commuters or frequent flyers. If you regularly go a full workday without reaching for the case, the Technics is the safer bet.
Both support wireless charging, and both have multipoint pairing, though the Technics handles up to three devices while the Samsung's limit is not recorded. The Samsung does have a clear advantage in durability, with an IP57 rating versus the Technics' IPX4. That means the Buds 4 Pro can survive a dunk in water, while the AZ100 only shrugs off sweat and light rain.
Calls and everyday use
Call quality is where the Samsung pulls ahead. It scores 8.6/10 for calls, against the Technics' 7.8/10. If you spend a lot of time on the phone in noisy streets or open offices, the Buds 4 Pro are likely to handle your voice more cleanly. The Technics are not bad, but they are a step behind.
In everyday use, the Technics offer longer battery life and more flexible multipoint, which matters if you juggle a phone, laptop, and tablet. The Samsung counters with a tougher build and a more sensitive touch control scheme, which some users find fiddly. Neither pair includes ear tips in the box, so you will need to buy replacements if the stock sizes do not fit.
For a broader view of what is out there, the best ANC earbuds and best earbuds under $100 pages are worth a look, though these two sit above that price range.
Which one should you buy?
If battery life and multipoint flexibility are your top priorities, buy the Technics EAH-AZ100. It lasts longer, connects to more devices at once, and offers slightly better noise cancelling. The $250 price is justified if you value those extras.
If you make a lot of calls, own a Samsung Galaxy phone, or want the toughest build, buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. It is cheaper, handles calls better, and survives water exposure that would kill most earbuds. The shorter battery life is the main trade-off.
If you are torn, the full comparison table at /compare/technics-eah-az100-vs-samsung-galaxy-buds-4-pro lays out every spec side by side.
FAQ
Are the Technics EAH-AZ100 worth the extra money over the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro?
Yes, if you need longer battery life and multipoint for three devices. The Technics cost $40 more but give you roughly five extra hours of playback per charge. If you rarely use multipoint or charge frequently, the Samsung is the better value.
Which earbuds have better noise cancelling, Technics or Samsung?
The Technics EAH-AZ100 scores slightly higher for ANC, at 8.6/10 versus 8.3/10 for the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Both are effective, and the difference is unlikely to be obvious unless you test them in the same loud room.
Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro work well with iPhones?
They work, but you lose Samsung Scalable and some Galaxy-exclusive features, leaving you with SBC, AAC, and LC3. LDAC is not supported on iOS, so iPhone users get the same basic codec experience from both pairs. The Technics are equally fine on iPhone.
